The members of the Phi Alpha Ta fraternity at Emerson college stepped up to--quite literally-help a brother out when he was told his insurance wouldn't cover a sex-change operation.

Donnie Collins, 20, was born a female but has been living as a male since he was 17. Collins, a sophomore at Emerson College in Boston decided to undergo hormone therapy and a sex change.

"I spent years suffering from gender identity problems not knowing what was wrong,Ē Collins told WHDH Boston. "Coming out was a huge relief to me. I knew right away that I wanted a name change, hormone replacement treatment and I wanted top surgery."

But after his insurance refused to cover the surgery, Donnie's brothers stepped in to help.

The brothers set a goal to raise $8,000 to cover the cost of the surgery. So far, they've raised more than $12,000.

"Donnie's status as a trans student was a non issue," said Tau Zaman, a senior. "It wasnít even an afterthought. We just thought he was an outstanding man."

"We wanted to show him in an act of solidarity that we supported him," said Christian Bergren-Aragon, a sophomore. "Itís not about raising the money it's about telling a story of transformation, self discovery and brotherhood."

The surgery will take place in May and any leftover money raised will be donated to charity.